Table of contents for 2023-07-31 in Star

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has assured private sector players and investors that they will now play a bigger role in funding the more than R200 billion required for the expansion of the transmission grid in South Africa. This comes as the first stage of getting the National Transmission Company of SA (NTCSA) operational has received the green light, which would lead to the full unbundling of Eskom into three units. During his weekly media briefing yesterday, Ramokgopa said Eskom will need about R100bn for the 2025 financial year to expand the transmission grid, which will be ramped up to R170bn by 2029. “We are engaging with the team to see how best we can finance this rollout that is required for us to support the issues around transmission,” Ramokgopa…

A Novice hunter who posed with a fresh buck kill behind the steering wheel of his bakkie and posted images on Facebook, is expected to appeal a Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court ruling that dismissed his attempts to sue for defamation. In dismissing Pastor Mark Le Roux’s defamation lawsuit against Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief inspector, Jaco Pieterse, Magistrate Katlego Mokoena opened her judgment, citing late rapper AKA’s lyrics about the “insatiable need of some to post anything and everything on social media”. (I shot my first buck over the weekend in my late grandfather’s socks, dead shot the first time. Field focus style. Am I a real man now? Am I ashamed I got a horn? Did I cry after my first time?... The answer is no.) Pieterse saw…

A PARTNERSHIP between the Department of Water and Sanitation and the City of Tshwane with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to oversee the embattled Rooiwal wastewater treatment works is well under way. The idea is for the three-year project to prevent cholera cases in the metro. It is expected to begin in September, with June 2026 targeted as its end date. It is also structured to avoid tender irregularities in the municipality. The City was hit by a fatal cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, while scores of people were hospitalised. Last week, at a National Press Club media briefing, the Water Research Commission announced it had not reached a conclusion on the source of the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal. It is widely believed that Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Plant,…

A WOMAN’S legal bid for the court to declare her and her now-deceased partner life partners – which would mean she could benefit from his estate – has failed as the court found that, although they were lovers, he had been married to his now-former wife until shortly before he died. The applicant initially lodged an application in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, to declare that her relationship with her partner constituted a customary marriage. She later withdrew the application. She then asked for an order declaring that she and Refilwe Kekana were in a permanent life partnership undertaking reciprocal duties of support. In court papers she said she and the deceased had met in November 2017. They agreed that they wanted a committed relationship, to grow old together…

A VIRAL video of a teenage boy dressed in a school uniform confidently directing traffic in the Pretoria Central has taken social media by storm. The video has received a range of responses from across the nation. In the clip, the unidentified young boy can be seen at a busy intersection, expertly guiding vehicles and pedestrians with hand gestures and whistles, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic during what appears to be rush hour. Two Tshwane Metro Police Department vehicles are seen driving past. The boy’s remarkable poise and control over the chaotic scene have left viewers both impressed and curious. Tweeps widely praised the teenager seeing him as a beacon of hope and a symbol of civic responsibility. But amid the wave of praise, some social media users raised…

AFTER the success of his tour, “Outdoor”, Mi Casa lead singer J’Something makes a return with his first solo project, Not Alone. Speaking about the release, J’Something said he hoped the song landed on fertile soil. He pointed out that the single was not part of a religion, but about connecting with a higher power. Not Alone is a song I wrote in 2019, and, in all honesty, never intended to release. It’s a song I wrote for myself, to remind myself that even though at times I may feel alone, I do have a very real connection between body and spirit. In 2019, I embarked on a new personal journey where I decided to try my utmost to ‘unbox’ myself as much as possible and allow myself the freedom…

The City of Ekurhuleni’s EFF coalition is proving to be useless. Hopeless Eskom has had to step in, to take over the management of “switching on and off” power supply from the city’s dysfunctional management team. One must ask, how difficult is it to look at a roster, which clearly reflects when to switch on or off? The time is now to remove from office this coalition of jokers, and send them off into the political sunset. There is no time like the present to bring back mayoress, Tania Campbell, who had put together a functional team, led by the DA, before she was deposed by the insidious ANC/EFF cabal. Get rid of the ANC/EFF clowns NOW!…

The Springboks have played their last rugby on South African soil for 2023 and while they beat Argentina at Emirates Airline Park, it wasn’t the festive farewell they and their fans would have preferred. The Boks are on the road now for three warm-up games and then it is the Big One in France in September. We should not judge the men in green and gold too harshly for the grim affair with Los Pumas because this game was one more piece of the jigsaw puzzle that will be completed at the World Cup. The Boks fielded a much-changed team from the one that lost comprehensively the week before to the All Blacks in Auckland as coach Jacques Nienaber spreads gametime evenly across his squad. The Boks have now played…

African leaders yesterday gave the junta in Niger one week to cede power or face the possible use of force, and slapped financial sanctions on the putschists after the latest coup in the jihadist-plagued Sahel region raised alarm on the continent and in the West. In the third coup in as many years to fell a leader in the Sahel, Niger’s elected president and Western ally, Mohamed Bazoum, has been held by the military since Wednesday. General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of the powerful presidential guard, has declared himself leader. Bazoum is one of a dwindling group of elected presidents and pro-Western leaders in the Sahel, where since 2020 a jihadist insurgency has triggered coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. Former colonial ruler France and the EU have suspended security…

Marseille: A pilot landed his tourist plane in choppy waters off southern France yesterday after the aircraft’s engine broke down, with all occupants surviving unharmed. The Cessna 177 touched down 600m off the coast near the Mediterranean resort of Frejus. The local fire service said the pilot chose the location to “avoid the beach, where there were already a lot of holidaymakers”. Firefighters rescued two women and one man, who escaped unharmed but were shaken up. The plane sank, although no pollution has been detected in the sea so far. | AFP…

The Argentine capital of Buenos Aires will double as the ‘Last Chance Saloon’ for Springboks on the fringe of the World Cup squad to be announced by coach Jacques Nienaber on August 8. The Springbok coach has spread opportunities fairly evenly across the three Rugby Championship matches and this week’s friendly against Los Pumas will get more players up to speed. “Next week’s match is the last opportunity for the players to make a strong statement for selection before we name our Rugby World Cup squad, and we are excited to see what those players will deliver in what is going to be a testing encounter in Buenos Aires,” said Bok coach Nienaber. “It’s extremely tough to play there, and Argentina enjoys massive support from their vocal home crowd, so…

The Springboks were forced to band together on Saturday night and weather an Argentinian push that stormed their tryline with ferocious intent, especially in the final quarter of their Rugby Championship clash. It was by no means a pleasing victory over the Pumas, nor was it any sort of attractive – as coach Jacques Nienaber freely attested to post-match – but there were a few positives, centre Jesse Kriel being one of them. The 29-year-old doesn’t always enjoy the adoration of the South African rugby-loving public, but there is no doubt that he was solid at Ellis Park in the narrow 22-21 win. Defensively – which has always been acknowledged as the strongest facet of his game – he was immense: He did not miss one tackle. He also enjoyed…

Kaizer Chiefs’ decision to appoint Molefi Ntseki, the former head of development, to replace Arthur Zwane as head coach was met with concern by the club’s supporters. Questions about his experience, pedigree and tactical knowledge were at the forefront and with two pre-season games already played before the league commences on Friday, those doubts have only grown. Ntseki’s reputation as the ‘head cook’ in a heated Amakhosi kitchen is already under scrutiny with the coach’s fingers already burnt by every tactical tinker and transfer. The Glamour Boys have roped in the services of six players with Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Spiwe Given Msimango, Mduduzi Mdantsane, Edson Daniel Castillo Garcia, Pule Mmodi and Ranga Chivaviro entering the gates of Naturena. The new arrivals were identified as direct solutions to very clear Chiefs deficiencies…

A ROBUST thinking session on reimagining Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) was held on July 20 by the Black Management Forum (BMF). The founding president of the BMF, Eric Mafuna, economic analyst Duma Gqubule, and businesspeople Dr Ruel Khoza, Mashudu Ramano, and Sipho Nkosi were all invited to contribute to our discussion of the problems with B-BBEE in its current form and possible future directions. As if telepathically, the speakers were aligned in their message that the time has come for black South Africans to explore their cultural identity and collective purpose in order to shape the kind of economic program that reflect their best interests. In his talk, Ramano articulated that the biggest success of colonialism and apartheid was its ability to convince black Africans that they had…

The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and International Convention Centre will host Gauteng’s inaugural Plant Powered Show from Friday, August 4, to Sunday, August 6. A stellar line-up of renowned chefs, including Zola Nene, Wandile Mabaso, Deena Naidoo, Andile Somdaka and Sue Gajathar, are participating in the gastronomic feast. The Plant Powered Show, which has enjoyed great success in Cape Town for the past two years and is now making its debut in Gauteng, is intended for anyone with an interest in food, health, wellness, the environment, or more conscious living, as well as the trade, including retail, restaurant, hotel, and hospitality establishments, local distributors and exporters looking for cutting-edge, high-quality products. An impressive selection of chefs and mixologists will participate in free demos in the Checkers Plant Kitchen, powered by…

A Durban bride-to-be has refused to let a robbery incident spoil one of the most important days of her life. Jennine Naidoo, from Shallcross, was robbed of her wedding dress in peak hour traffic in the Durban CBD on last week. Her wedding will take place on August 5. Naidoo took to social media to express her disappointment at the level of crime and urged motorists to be careful at the spot she was robbed. Many social media users sent their messages of support and wished her well for her wedding. IOL made contact with Naidoo to find out what transpired. She said she and her father had been on their way to work in a bakkie. She said her wedding dress, which was worth R15 000 was in…

AN elderly and sickly husband learnt the hard way when he wanted to revoke the “donation” of his half of the matrimonial home to his now estranged wife, based on the grounds of “ingratitude” on her part, as he claimed she subsequently assaulted him and had an affair. The husband, who claimed he had donated his portion of their home to his wife out of the goodness of his heart, now had a change of heart due to his wife’s conduct, the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, was told. But the court ruled: a promise is a promise. The wife turned to court to obtain an order for the husband to sign the documents pertaining to the transfer of his portion to her and for the Pretoria Registrar of Deeds to…

AN ALCOHOL battle will start in the Limpopo high court next month, as liquor traders take the Limpopo government to court to stop the implementation of the “Midnight Law”. From tomorrow, Limpopo Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism will implement the Limpopo Liquor Act, No 5 of 2009, as well as its associated regulations. The law has been nicknamed the “Midnight Law”, as some changes call for liquor outlets and nightlife facilities that sell alcohol to be allowed to operate only up to midnight. Previously, the Liquor Act of 1989 permitted the sale of liquor up to 2am. Traders will have to pay about six times as much for licence renewals, which are presently R100. Stakeholders in the province allege the act will cripple the economy instead of uplifting and…

Since the National Assembly voted to pass the NHI Bill, there has been much debate on the affordability of the NHI. I strongly believe the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) should oppose this legislation. It is inconsistent with Section 27 of the Constitution, which requires the state to take “reasonable” measures, within its “available” resources, to make healthcare “progressively” more available to all. The NHI is neither “reasonable” nor “affordable”. In March 2022, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, said the government had not updated the NHI cost model since the 2019/2020 financial year, before the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019, then-health minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said annual costs were likely to exceed the combined total (R470bn) of public and private health spending that year. Both he and his successor, Dr Joe Phaahla,…

It is trite that the wealth of South Africa is still concentrated in the minority of its white citizens. But it is quite intriguing how prominent South Africans – black ones at that – who try to address this issue, continue to misdiagnose the problem, which will provide no cure. The latest one is, Ruel Khoza, who was addressing the Black Management Forum (BMF) recently, where he suggested that the country should consider implementing Afrikaner economic policies under apartheid to solve the problems facing the economically depraved black majority. The apartheid policy of channelling benefits to the Afrikaner and its so-called ‘successes’ were because it largely enriched a minority. That people such as Khoza think that the goal of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is the creation of more black…

Nairobi: Kenyan President William Ruto said yesterday he would “not negotiate about the safety of our country” with his rival after agreeing to dialogue to end violent protests against his government. Both sides announced they would join a committee to resolve their differences “amicably” following opposition-led demonstrations that left at least 20 people dead. Opposition leader Raila Odinga has staged protests since March against “an illegitimate government responsible for an economic crisis hurting the poor”. Ruto warned his opponent against more “violent demonstrations” that put life and property at risk. | AFP…

Banyumas: Eight people trapped in an illegal gold mine on the Indonesian island of Java are feared dead, a rescue official said yesterday, as search efforts entered a fifth day with little progress. The workers were digging inside a hole with a depth of 60m in Pancurendang village in Central Java last week when water suddenly flooded the illegal mine. Rescuers had deployed water pumps around to get the water out of the mining shaft but it remained flooded yesterday. Authorities had planned to deploy divers to find the miners but the mine shaft is deemed too narrow. | AFP…

Ian Foster says the All Blacks are still not the finished product despite banking two trophies on a 10-game unbeaten streak in an ominous sign ahead of the World Cup in France. New Zealand crushed a disjointed Wallabies 38-7 in Melbourne on Saturday in another statement performance, which followed impressive victories over world champions South Africa and an improving Argentina. Once again, they were patient in defence, retained the ball well, were dominant in the scrum and devastating on the break, crossing for six tries in front of nearly 84 0000 fans. They built their lead with three tries before the break and added another three in a stunning eight-minute second-half spell to retain the Rugby Championship and trans-Tasman Bledisloe Cup. “The manner of it is pretty pleasing. We got…

Colombia scored a 97th-minute winner to stun Germany 2-1 on a night of Women’s World Cup drama yesterday which also saw Norway and Switzerland into the last 16, but co-hosts New Zealand dumped out in tears. Germany smashed Morocco 6-0 in their opener to underline why they were among the pre-tournament favourites, along with Spain and England, to snatch away the US’s crown. But they came crashing back down to earth at the hands of a Colombia team inspired by 18-year-old Linda Caicedo and roared on by the majority of a rowdy 40 000 crowd in Sydney. The Real Madrid attacker scored one of the goals of the tournament so far, darting past two Germany defenders before curling the ball into the top corner to open the scoring. Germany thought…

While the world observed World Day Against Trafficking in Persons yesterday, South Africa continues to see an increase in that crime. Recently, the CIA raised the involvement of Nigerians and Congolese in its drug and human trafficking reports concerning South Africa. The country remains a Tier 2 country for the third consecutive year in the Trafficking in Persons report released last month. This means the country has a government that does not fully comply with the minimum standards for preventing such crimes, although it is making some strides towards doing so. The government did not demonstrate overall increased efforts compared with the previous reporting period, even considering the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity. Although South Africa has the requisite legislation in place to fight…

Public Interest South Africa (Pisa) has slammed the EFF for its continued association with alleged illicit cigarette tycoon Adriano Mazzotti, who last week was a source of controversy after attending the party’s lavish gala dinner. Pisa says this association, which also drew criticism after deputy national commissioner of Crime Intelligence and head of Counter-Intelligence, General Feroz Khan, was seen seated close to Mazzotti, is an indication of how bad the situation has become. According to media reports, Pisa is of the view that Khan’s close, public association with the EFF does not bode well for the country’s fight against crime. On Thursday, ahead of the EFF’s 10-year anniversary celebrations held at Soccer City Stadium on Saturday, the EFF’s platinum table was reported to have sold three times more than was…

In July last year, eight women were raped and robbed by a gang of armed men, believed to be zama zamas, while shooting a music video at an abandoned mine dump in West Village, Krugersdorp. On Thursday, July 28, 2022, the national police reported that a crew of 22 people – 12 women and 10 men – were filming a music video when they were attacked by a group of armed men wearing blankets. A year later, nothing has come of the incident that shocked the country, resulting in the multiple arrests of at least 80 people in connection with the matter after having rounded up at least more than 120 people in total. However, in October 2022, the victims learnt with shock that 14 suspects arrested in connection with…

In a “dog bite” with a twist damages claim, two excited dogs kept in a complex are costing their owner dearly. A pedestrian, who injured his arm after he was frightened by the two Jack Russell dogs which came running towards him through the gates of a complex, succeeded in his legal action. Solomon Rafu turned to the Eastern Cape High Court, in Gqeberha, after his ordeal, when he turned around to try to run away from the dogs, but fell and injured his arm. He blamed the dogs’ owner, Hugo van Rensburg, for the incident. Van Rensburg admitted that the dogs ran into the street, but he said they did not harm Rafu. Rafu said Van Rensburg should have controlled his dogs and ensured they did not run into…

TWO accused are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today for impersonating Tshwane Metro Police Department officers. The pair were nabbed near Atteridgeville on Friday in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Law enforcement also found in their possession a signal jammer, blue lights, SAPS-issued firearms holsters, false government number plates and metro police uniforms. The two were suspected to be truck hijackers. In a statement, Hawks spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase said an operation was executed following reports of truck hijackings being rife in the province. “The multidisciplinary team’s meticulous investigation moved them hot on the heels of the bogus Gauteng traffic officers involved in a spree of truck hijackings in Gauteng,” he said. “The suspects were alleged to be hijacking trucks while in the guise…

The controversial news about the list of allegations lodged against Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye has been met with mixed reactions on social media. Thousands of followers have weighed in, sharing opinions, with some rallying behind Jub Jub while others denounce him over all the claims that have surfaced. “We believe Jub Jub,” said a user named African Victor. “That’s why I hate these rape cases reported many years after the incident; it means all of us can be accused of rape any time. A bitter ex can just go and open a case, and boom, you are arrested,” commented @MziNqamra. While Jub Jub’s supporters have been vocal on social media, support has been shown to the complainants whom the court has not yet revealed. Maarohanye commanded the country’s attention after…

President Cyril Ramaphosa, while in Russia, said South Africa remembered with deep gratitude how the support of the people and the government of the then-Soviet Union sustained the Struggle for liberation. The president said this during a plenary session at the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg. He said that nearly three years ago, in the city of Sochi, leaders of African states and the Russian Federation pledged to co-operate in a manner that was mutually beneficial and that served the interests of their peoples. “In the intervening years, we have experienced strong geopolitical and economic crosswinds. We continue to count the human cost of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on our economies. “As South Africa, we are greatly encouraged by the Russian Federation’s commitment to deepening collaboration…

Women should be acknowledged for their contribution to society, throughout the year and in history books. Lydia Williams is one of the women who inspire me. She was born into slavery. After she gave birth at the age of 13, her son was taken from her and sold into slavery. After the emancipation of the slaves in 1838, she moved to District Six. On Emancipation Day, December 1 each year, she would bake cakes and share stories of her experiences with the children in the neighbourhood. She was known as Tant Tameletjie. With a body that bore the scars of lashing in slavery, she started a school in her home. Later, she helped build a school in District Six. Amid her own trauma, she invested in the lives of others.…

JERUSALEM: The leader of Israel’s parliamentary opposition yesterday demanded that the government freeze its judicial overhaul for 18 months if it wants to resume negotiations on a consensus formula for the changes. Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition pushed through the first elements of an overhaul of Israel’s judiciary, seeking to restrict judges from challenging some government decisions. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that if the government wanted the consensus talks to resume, it should pass legislation jointly with the opposition to pause its overhaul for 18 months. | Reuters…

Tehran: Iran’s oil minister said yesterday that Tehran would “pursue its rights” to a disputed gas field also claimed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait if negotiations fail. The offshore zone of the resource-rich Gulf, known as Arash in Iran and Dorra in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, has long been a point of contention between the three countries. Iranian Oil Minister Javad Owji said Tehran had sought “the path of negotiation”. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia last year signed an agreement to jointly develop the field despite objections from Iran, which branded the deal “illegal”. | AFP…

Success for Scotland over Italy in their first World Cup warm-up Test on Saturday was far from convincing but still left coach Gregor Townsend pleased with a win under their belt some six weeks before the kick-off of the tournament in France. Scotland beat Italy 25-13 at Murrayfield in the first of four internationals ahead of September’s World Cup start and next take on the French at home this Saturday, and away the week after, as they look to finalise their 33-man squad for the tournament. “There’s a lot around the World Cup squad selection but really the important thing is to get the team out there to play these big games so we go into the South Africa game with a team that’s gelled together and played in big…

Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen roared to a crushing eighth win in a row, one short of the all-time record, in a Red Bull one-two with Sergio Perez at the Belgian Grand Prix yesterday. Red Bull’s 13th consecutive victory made the team the first in the sport’s 73-year history to win the opening 12 races of a season – one more than McLaren managed in 1988 with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Verstappen, who started sixth on the grid after a five-place penalty, extended his championship lead over Perez to 125 points – effectively five races – after taking the chequered flag 22.3 seconds ahead of the Mexican. “I knew we had a great car, it was just about surviving turn one,” said the double world champion, who has…